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Sinenko IL, Turnell-Ritson RC, Munier FL, Dyson PJ. The predictive capacity of in vitro preclinical models to evaluate drugs for the treatment of retinoblastoma. Exp Eye Res 2023; 230:109447. [PMID: 36940901 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Retinoblastoma is a rare childhood cancer of the eye. Of the small number of drugs are used to treat retinoblastoma, all have been repurposed from drugs developed for other conditions. In order to find drugs or drug combinations better suited to the improved treatment of retinoblastoma, reliable predictive models are required, which facilitate the challenging transition from in vitro studies to clinical trials. In this review, the research performed to date on the development of 2D and 3D in vitro models for retinoblastoma is presented. Most of this research was undertaken with a view to better biological understanding of retinoblastoma, and we discuss the potential for these models to be applied to drug screening. Future research directions for streamlined drug discovery are considered and evaluated, and many promising avenues identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina L Sinenko
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, École Polytechnique Fedérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland; Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Fondation Asile des Aveugles, University of Lausanne, CH-1004, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Roland C Turnell-Ritson
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, École Polytechnique Fedérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Francis L Munier
- Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Fondation Asile des Aveugles, University of Lausanne, CH-1004, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Paul J Dyson
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, École Polytechnique Fedérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
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2
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Looking into the Eyes—In Vitro Models for Ocular Research. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169158. [PMID: 36012421 PMCID: PMC9409455 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal research undoubtedly provides scientists with virtually unlimited data but inflicts pain and suffering on animals. Currently, legislators and scientists alike are promoting alternative in vitro approaches allowing for an accurate evaluation of processes occurring in the body without animal sacrifice. Historically, one of the most infamous animal tests is the Draize test, mainly performed on rabbits. Even though this test was considered the gold standard for around 50 years, the Draize test fails to mimic human response mainly due to human and rabbit eye physiological differences. Therefore, many alternative assays were developed to evaluate ocular toxicity and drug effectiveness accurately. Here we review recent achievements in tissue engineering of in vitro 2D, 2.5D, 3D, organoid and organ-on-chip ocular models, as well as in vivo and ex vivo models in terms of their advantages and limitations.
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3
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Martinelli I, Tayebati SK, Tomassoni D, Nittari G, Roy P, Amenta F. Brain and Retinal Organoids for Disease Modeling: The Importance of In Vitro Blood–Brain and Retinal Barriers Studies. Cells 2022; 11:cells11071120. [PMID: 35406683 PMCID: PMC8997725 DOI: 10.3390/cells11071120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain and retinal organoids are functional and dynamic in vitro three-dimensional (3D) structures derived from pluripotent stem cells that spontaneously organize themselves to their in vivo counterparts. Here, we review the main literature data of how these organoids have been developed through different protocols and how they have been technically analyzed. Moreover, this paper reviews recent advances in using organoids to model neurological and retinal diseases, considering their potential for translational applications but also pointing out their limitations. Since the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and blood–retinal barrier (BRB) are understood to play a fundamental role respectively in brain and eye functions, both in health and in disease, we provide an overview of the progress in the development techniques of in vitro models as reliable and predictive screening tools for BBB and BRB-penetrating compounds. Furthermore, we propose potential future directions for brain and retinal organoids, in which dedicated biobanks will represent a novel tool for neuroscience and ophthalmology research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilenia Martinelli
- School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (S.K.T.); (G.N.); (F.A.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Seyed Khosrow Tayebati
- School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (S.K.T.); (G.N.); (F.A.)
| | - Daniele Tomassoni
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (D.T.); (P.R.)
| | - Giulio Nittari
- School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (S.K.T.); (G.N.); (F.A.)
| | - Proshanta Roy
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (D.T.); (P.R.)
| | - Francesco Amenta
- School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (S.K.T.); (G.N.); (F.A.)
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4
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Fleckenstein M, Keenan TDL, Guymer RH, Chakravarthy U, Schmitz-Valckenberg S, Klaver CC, Wong WT, Chew EY. Age-related macular degeneration. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2021; 7:31. [PMID: 33958600 DOI: 10.1038/s41572-021-00265-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 395] [Impact Index Per Article: 131.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of legal blindness in the industrialized world. AMD is characterized by accumulation of extracellular deposits, namely drusen, along with progressive degeneration of photoreceptors and adjacent tissues. AMD is a multifactorial disease encompassing a complex interplay between ageing, environmental risk factors and genetic susceptibility. Chronic inflammation, lipid deposition, oxidative stress and impaired extracellular matrix maintenance are strongly implicated in AMD pathogenesis. However, the exact interactions of pathophysiological events that culminate in drusen formation and the associated degeneration processes remain to be elucidated. Despite tremendous advances in clinical care and in unravelling pathophysiological mechanisms, the unmet medical need related to AMD remains substantial. Although there have been major breakthroughs in the treatment of exudative AMD, no efficacious treatment is yet available to prevent progressive irreversible photoreceptor degeneration, which leads to central vision loss. Compelling progress in high-resolution retinal imaging has enabled refined phenotyping of AMD in vivo. These insights, in combination with clinicopathological and genetic correlations, have underscored the heterogeneity of AMD. Hence, our current understanding promotes the view that AMD represents a disease spectrum comprising distinct phenotypes with different mechanisms of pathogenesis. Hence, tailoring therapeutics to specific phenotypes and stages may, in the future, be the key to preventing irreversible vision loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Fleckenstein
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| | - Tiarnán D L Keenan
- Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Robyn H Guymer
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Usha Chakravarthy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Centre for Public Health, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Steffen Schmitz-Valckenberg
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Caroline C Klaver
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Wai T Wong
- Section on Neuron-Glia Interactions in Retinal Disease, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Emily Y Chew
- Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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5
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Miller JW, D’Anieri LL, Husain D, Miller JB, Vavvas DG. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): A View to the Future. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10051124. [PMID: 33800285 PMCID: PMC7962647 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10051124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
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6
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Behtaj S, Öchsner A, Anissimov YG, Rybachuk M. Retinal Tissue Bioengineering, Materials and Methods for the Treatment of Glaucoma. Tissue Eng Regen Med 2020; 17:253-269. [PMID: 32390117 PMCID: PMC7260329 DOI: 10.1007/s13770-020-00254-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glaucoma, a characteristic type of optic nerve degeneration in the posterior pole of the eye, is a common cause of irreversible vision loss and the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. As an optic neuropathy, glaucoma is identified by increasing degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), with consequential vision loss. Current treatments only postpone the development of retinal degeneration, and there are as yet no treatments available for this disability. Recent studies have shown that replacing lost or damaged RGCs with healthy RGCs or RGC precursors, supported by appropriately designed bio-material scaffolds, could facilitate the development and enhancement of connections to ganglion cells and optic nerve axons. The consequence may be an improved retinal regeneration. This technique could also offer the possibility for retinal regeneration in treating other forms of optic nerve ailments through RGC replacement. METHODS In this brief review, we describe the innovations and recent developments in retinal regenerative medicine such as retinal organoids and gene therapy which are specific to glaucoma treatment and focus on the selection of appropriate bio-engineering principles, biomaterials and cell therapies that are presently employed in this growing research area. RESULTS Identification of optimal sources of cells, improving cell survival, functional integration upon transplantation, and developing techniques to deliver cells into the retinal space without provoking immune responses are the main challenges in retinal cell replacement therapies. CONCLUSION The restoration of visual function in glaucoma patients by the RGC replacement therapies requires appropriate protocols and biotechnology methods. Tissue-engineered scaffolds, the generation of retinal organoids, and gene therapy may help to overcome some of the challenges in the generation of clinically safe RGCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanaz Behtaj
- School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Engineering Drive, Southport, QLD, 4222, Australia
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, West Creek Road, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Cell Science Research Centre, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Andreas Öchsner
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Esslingen University of Applied Sciences, Kanalstrasse 33, 73728, Esslingen, Germany
| | - Yuri G Anissimov
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, West Creek Road, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Southport, QLD, 4222, Australia
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, 119146, Russia
| | - Maksym Rybachuk
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, West Creek Road, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia.
- School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia.
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7
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Fligor CM, Huang KC, Lavekar SS, VanderWall KB, Meyer JS. Differentiation of retinal organoids from human pluripotent stem cells. Methods Cell Biol 2020; 159:279-302. [PMID: 32586447 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2020.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) possess the remarkable ability to differentiate into any cell type of the body, including those of the retina. Through the differentiation of these cells as retinal organoids, it is now possible to model the spatial and temporal development of the human retina using hPSCs, in which retinal progenitor cells produce the entire repertoire of retinal cells, first differentiating into retinal ganglion cells and ending with mature photoreceptors, bipolar cells, and Müller glia. Importantly, retinal organoids self-assemble into laminated structures that recapitulate the layering of the human retina with a retinal ganglion cell layer lining the inner layer and a distinctly separate photoreceptor layer occupying the outer layers. This organoid technology has provided access to human tissue for developmental and disease modeling, as well as translational applications such as high throughput drug screening and cell replacement therapies. However, the differentiation of retinal organoids does require some expertise and multiple strategies produce inconsistent results. Here, we describe in detail a well-established and relatively simple method for the generation of retinal organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarisse M Fligor
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Kang-Chieh Huang
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Sailee S Lavekar
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Kirstin B VanderWall
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Jason S Meyer
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, Glick Eye Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
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8
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Liu W, Deng C, Godoy-Parejo C, Zhang Y, Chen G. Developments in cell culture systems for human pluripotent stem cells. World J Stem Cells 2019; 11:968-981. [PMID: 31768223 PMCID: PMC6851012 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v11.i11.968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are important resources for cell-based therapies and pharmaceutical applications. In order to realize the potential of hPSCs, it is critical to develop suitable technologies required for specific applications. Most hPSC technologies depend on cell culture, and are critically influenced by culture medium composition, extracellular matrices, handling methods, and culture platforms. This review summarizes the major technological advances in hPSC culture, and highlights the opportunities and challenges in future therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Liu
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
- Bioimaging and Stem Cell Core Facility, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
| | - Chunhao Deng
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
| | - Carlos Godoy-Parejo
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
| | - Yumeng Zhang
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
| | - Guokai Chen
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China.
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9
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Lidgerwood GE, Hewitt AW, Pébay A. Human pluripotent stem cells for the modelling of diseases of the retina and optic nerve: toward a retina in a dish. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2019; 48:114-119. [PMID: 31590110 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2019.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells can be differentiated into specific, relevant cell types of interest including the cells of the retina and optic nerve. These cells can then be used to study fundamental biology as well as disease modelling and subsequent screening of potential treatments. Many models of differentiation and modelling have relied on two-dimensional monocultures of specific cell types, which are not representative of the complexity of the human retina and optic nerve. Hence, more complex models of the human retina and optic nerve are required. Three-dimensional organoids and emerging cell culture methods may provide more physiologically relevant models to study developmental biology and pathology of the retina and optic nerve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace E Lidgerwood
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alex W Hewitt
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia; School of Medicine, Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Alice Pébay
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
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10
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Wright CB, Becker SM, Low LA, Tagle DA, Sieving PA. Improved Ocular Tissue Models and Eye-On-A-Chip Technologies Will Facilitate Ophthalmic Drug Development. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther 2019; 36:25-29. [PMID: 31166829 PMCID: PMC6985761 DOI: 10.1089/jop.2018.0139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we describe efforts by the National Eye Institute (NEI) and National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS) to catalyze advances in 3-dimensional (3-D) ocular organoid and microphysiological systems (MPS). We reviewed the recent literature regarding ocular organoids and tissue chips. Animal models, 2-dimensional cell culture models, and postmortem human tissue samples provide the vision research community with insights critical to understanding pathophysiology and therapeutic development. The advent of induced pluripotent stem cell technologies provide researchers with enticing new approaches and tools that augment study in more traditional models to provide the scientific community with insights that have previously been impossible to obtain. Efforts by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have already accelerated the pace of scientific discovery, and recent advances in ocular organoid and MPS modeling approaches have opened new avenues of investigation. In addition to more closely recapitulating the morphologies and physiological responses of in vivo human tissue, key breakthroughs have been made in the past year to resolve long-standing scientific questions regarding tissue development, molecular signaling, and pathophysiological mechanisms that promise to provide advances critical to therapeutic development and patient care. 3-D tissue culture modeling and MPS offer platforms for future high-throughput testing of therapeutic candidates and studies of gene interactions to improve models of complex genetic diseases with no well-defined etiology, such as age-related macular degeneration and Fuchs' dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles B. Wright
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Steven M. Becker
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Lucie A. Low
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Danilo A. Tagle
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Paul A. Sieving
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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